Bahamas Football

The Flourishing History of the Bahamas Football

Football was initially introduced in the island of Bahamas right after the First World War, when persistent veterans kept practicing, kicking around and playing friendly games with one another in the latest sport they discover and adore whilst serving in Europe.

During the period of 1920's until 1930's, teams and clubs from the main districts in the island of New Providence built soccer. Soccer teams like St. Michael, St. George and Scouts were engaged in these kinds of matches. Games were also played against the visiting Naval ships as well as some recreation vessels that docked in Nassau. Most games were played during Eastern Parade. Bahamas football heightened in popularity when the period of 1940's hit. More players and teams were involved. One popular event named Boxing Day Soccer Classic got evolved, featuring two top teams during the period: Vikings and St. Georges.

The popularity of the Bahamas football continued until the 1950's era and particularly in the year 1954, there was a try to build the teams into an association or a league. It was successfully accomplished. An Englishman in the name of Brian Andrews established the Bahamas Football Amateur Association. The players in the team varied from up to ten people and matches were held at the Park Clifford on Sundays.

Eventually, another Bahamas football league was created where its players joined for the sport's recreational benefits. These games were played during Saturdays. Thus, two Bahamas football teams were created under the association of the Bahamas Football Amateur during the period of the late fifties.

In the year 1957, the first dream team that represents the Bahamas matched for a trophy against Coral Gables Soccer Club. As more international games abroad and at home got more frequent, there came a need for appropriate international membership. Representation became necessary and so two leagues merged, forming the Bahamas Football Association. Soccer was brought under one organization in line with worldwide standards.

The Bahamas Football Association got its full membership with FIFA or Federation Internationale de Football Association. The other membership such as Confederation of North, Caribbean and Central America Association of Football was approved in 1981.

The organization Bahamas football, being the national association, holds for the creation of leagues in various islands in the archipelago. Many courses are also locally organized for the benefits of officials, coaches and players, about twenty years now.

The Bahamas football has seen significant growth for the past decades. With a concentrated and committed effort, this growth is seen to flourish for the game to be recognizable as the sand, sea and sun that the archipelago has been readily marketing.